The Story of
"Half-Breeds"
Who We Are
The word Métis is derived from the French word for "person of mixed parentage".
The Métis are an indigenous peoples of Canada that originated from the mixed parentage of various indigenous tribes, mainly subsets of the Cree peoples of the Canadian prairie provinces, and European settlers (primarily French, Scottish, and English). These peoples are distinct from persons born of interracial couples in that, through ethnogensis and cultural and actual genocide, they formed a unique culture, language, and history.
Listed on censuses as "half-breeds", Métis people have been historically uprooted whenever treaties signed by the government of Canada were not upheld. In one major event, this resulted in the Red River Rebellion in the area that is now Winnipeg, Manitoba.
The symbol of the Métis is infinity - to showcase the endurance and resilience of our peoples.
Our homeland in Manitoba comes from the Cree word manitou: the spiritual life force behind all things.
Want to learn more?
Here is an unexhaustive list of resources if you want to know more about the history of Indigenous peoples in Canada and the legacy of residential schools.
Books
Web Resources